Tom Whitaker gets Hickstead campaign off to a winning start
Wednesday 26 July 2023
.jpeg "Tom Whitaker gets Hickstead campaign off to a winning start")
Yorkshire’s Tom Whitaker won the feature class at the Longines International Horse Show at Hickstead.
Riding the talented 7-year-old Colliers Carlotta, Tom took the spoils in the British Showjumping Winter Grades B & C Championship. The pair were one of six combinations to jump clear in the opening round, and their time relegated Ireland’s Trevor Breen (Glenard Kannendro) into second place by 0.76 seconds.
“She’s always been a good horse, to be honest – I was just lucky enough to get the ride on her this year,” said Tom of the mare, who is owned by the Crimbourne Stud. “They just approached me out of nowhere and asked me to ride her, and I was delighted.
"She’s a proper winner. She’s very quick, with a massive stride, and she’s very careful – I think she’s one of the best I’ve ever had, actually. You always feel you’ve got a good chance to win when you’re on top of her, so I’m very excited about her,” added Tom, who is now based near Hickstead at Hascombe Equestrian Centre.
Tickets for the Longines Royal International Horse Show (25-30 July) are available at the gate or can be bought online. The action will be livestreamed throughout on ClipMyHorse.TV and Hickstead.TV, with additional coverage on Sky Sports and FEI.TV on Friday and Sunday.
Image: Elli Birch/Boots and Hooves Photography
